HUDSON-MOHAWK BIRD CLUBBuilding the birding community in New York's Hudson-Mohawk Region |
HMBC makes two awards annually: The Sam Madison Award and the DEC Campership Award.
The purpose of the Sam Madison Award: The Sam Madison Award was established to encourage and enhance the education of students and teachers about birds, bird habitats, and bird conservation. This is a monetary award that will promote understanding and appreciation of birds and their biology, ecology, and conservation.
The award may be given to a student, a teacher, youth leader, or to an organization. The award might be given to provide:
The award is given at the Club's Annual Meeting in April.
Nominations for the Sam Madison Award: The Club welcomes nominations for the Sam Madison Award from any Club Member. The purpose of the award is described below. There are no detailed criteria, and there is no formal application format. Any HMBC member may simply send a narrative nomination for any student, teacher, organization, or program that meets the purpose of the Sam Madison award and merits the Club's support. Submit your nomination to the Club's President with the subject line "Sam Madison Award"
Donations to the Sam Madison Award Fund: To make a donation to continue this award, please send a check payable to "Hudson-Mohawk Bird club" to the treasurer.
Biosketch of Sam Madison: HMBC established the Sam Madison Award to honor the man who led and advised the Club through much of its history. He served as President, was Nominating Committee chair for as long as anyone can remember, and led field trips to a variety of places. Sam's Delmarva Peninsula trip was legendary. With a military-like time schedule it was the "Bataan March" of the bird club. Perhaps Sam's signal accomplishment was his role in acquiring our Reist Sanctuary in 1970. We all have our favorite Sam Story. They all remember an inveterate birder, a caring and sharing friend, and a gentleman in the truest sense.
Recipients of the Sam Madison Award2018 | Whispering Willow Wild Care | |
2017 | Huyck Preserve and Biological Research Station | In recognition of their varied environmental education and research programs |
2016 | Friends of Five Rivers | For supporting bird education programs |
2015 | Bethlehem Children's School | For supporting bird education programs |
2013 | Laurie LaFond | Friends of the Washington County Grasslands Important Bird Area |
2012 | Erin Kinal | Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center |
2010 | Laurel Tormey Cole | Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center |
2009 | Hope Batcheller | NYSOA Young Birders |
2007 | Robert Whiteman | Development of a bird watching window and program at the Westmere Elementary School. |
2006 | Wood Road Nature Trails | Bird related projects. |
2005 | George Steele | Development of a bird program with inner city schools in Albany and Schenectady. |
2004 | Will Aubrey | Long-time efforts taking students in the field to study birds as an introduction to nature. |
2003 | Deb Smith | Development of a bird backyard at school and birding lessons for Junior High School students. |
2002 |
Five Rivers Environmental
Education Center |
Long-term bird education efforts. |
The Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club has regularly sponsored one or two local campers (age 12-14) to attend one of DEC's environmental education camp sessions.
Candidates should be sincerely interested in an outdoor learning experience, including environmental conservation and be willing to participate in strenuous activities such as backpacking and canoeing.
If interested, please send a note to the Club's president with "DEC Campership Award" in the subject line.